Solar Chargers

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Recent Solar Charger Reviews

BLKBOX Portable Solar Charger

Not enough capacity to be useful. To even do the little it is capable of it must be sitting properly in relation to the sun — not at all useable when moving.
Talk to anyone that knows just a little about solar and they can tell you this is useless junk. It is irresponsible to sell junk like this.
A power bank can be useful: I recently carried one 12,000 mah unit on the Inca Trail. Worked great for the 4 days. Full review

BLKBOX Portable Solar Charger

Quality portable folding solar chargers sold direct via Amazon. Four models available, two models evaluated. Powerbanks also available (not evaluated). Let me preface by saying solar charger wattage ratings are based on Maximum Output on a clear cloudless day at moderate temperatures. In many areas of the world, this is the exception rather than the rule. On average, solar panels produce a fraction of their rated Maximum Output. My suggestion is to learn what input wattage the device(s) you want… Full review

Bushnell SolarWrap Mini

While it has some significant limitations, the Bushnell Solar Wrap Mini 100, works well as a lightweight backup battery for a variety of electronics in the field. Using the product, I kept an iPhone 4s and an iPad Mini charged throughout a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. In preparing for a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, I figured I would need more battery power to supplement the internal batteries of my iPhone and iPad Mini. I planned to be on trail for up to six days between resupplies. In researching… Full review

EnerPlex Kickr IV

A rugged and very lightweight solar charger that folds up small and doesn't take up much space in my pack. It charges well even if it is overcast, and it will even charge a tablet. It is flexible and extremely durable. It has been a lifesaver on multiple occasions! I had been in the market for a small and portable charging solution for a while before I saw the Kickr IV from EnerPlex. The Kickr IV is a very simple fold-out solar panel wherein lies it beauty. It only has one output which is a 1.2A… Full review

Poweradd Apollo

As a backup battery this is fine. But as a solar charger, it is horribly underpowered, and better options exist. I work in the solar business, and I've seen my fair share of these compact solar chargers come and go. Brunton sells a few for example. The problem they all have is that the solar is always a gimmick-add-on to what is otherwise a useful back-up battery pack. But realize that a backup battery is all these chargers really are.Save your money, and avoid frustration by choosing a more powerful… Full review

Poweradd Apollo

This charger is perfect in every way. Based on its capacity, I can get almost 3 full charges out of it.
Since it's solar powered, it's always powered up. I don't miss hunting for an outlet at airports whenever I travel. I should have purchased this years ago! Full review

Poweradd Apollo

A 7200mAh Li-polymer battery with a 5V/180mA solar charger to recharge your devices in the backcountry or during power outages. Easy to use, reasonably sized, reasonably priced, and it gets the job done. As a long-time backpacker, the idea of bringing electronics into the wild is somewhat new to me. I've always had flashlights, of course, and I welcomed the transition to more efficient LED lights once I got used to the blueish glow of the LEDs, and I became an enthusiastic geocacher, too, which… Full review

Brunton Solaris USB

Good inexpensive product. Very durable and efficient. I have had quite a few different brands of these panels and these are some of the best for light use. Picks up well in indirect sun and continuous charging with very little. Brunton has never been a popular product where I live and that is where the benefit is reaped. These are much better panels than Goal Zero panels in a comparable size. They can also be picked up for much less money. I bought mine on eBay new out of the package, for a display… Full review

Brunton Restore

Fair product for getting by. Seems more like a gimmick. This is a good unit if you only need to keep your cell charged or maybe a simple GPS. Doesn't store much power and charges very slowly. Doesn't include any adapters, only a double ended cord with a USB on one end and mini USB on the other. Takes an insane amount of time to charge. Doesn't have an indicator light other than the one that shows how full the battery is. Probably because it wouldn't charge if an indicator light blinked continuously… Full review